My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so pretty,

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she

happened to be a little

must sing the ‘Happy

close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow

head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the

wasn’t even

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

to say thank you!”

like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that

told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have

and headed

her apartment and about

was propped open by a large hand from

her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on business?

into the house and shut

been getting

took two steps

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

suppose you wouldn’t want me

her,

had no idea what she

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and